Growing concern over latest drownings
The Nkomazi Local Municipality has expressed great concern over the latest drowning reports of two children.
JEPPES REEF – The Nkomazi Local Municipality has expressed great concern over the latest drowning reports of two children.
According to the municipal spokesman, Mr Cyril Ripinga, these deaths are a heavy burden for the community.
On Sunday afternoon a seven-year-old boy drowned in Block C, near Naas, and on Monday afternoon, a 10-year-old boy in Jeppes Reef. According to community members in this area, the rivers and dams that some of the children play in are much deeper than they appear to be.
The total number of drownings has now increased to five.
Speaking to Corridor Gazette on Tuesday, Ripinga said the situation was becoming more worrying as the victims were mostly young children.
“We have reached a point where, as a municipality, we are now seriously concerned. We have been receiving reports of deaths as a result of drowning, and it is very sad that in most cases it were young children. It makes us ask ourselves where their mothers were. Needless to say, parents can’t monitor their children 24/7, but we really need them to just keep an eye on them.”
Ripinga appealed to parents to continuously warn children against playing in or near rivers or dams, and to ensure that youngsters went straight home after school.
“We are aware that at this point most parents are informing them of these dangers, and we need them to continue to do so. They should try monitoring whether their children are returning from school at their usual time. If they are unable to do so in person, they should perhaps ask a neighbour to assist, just so they have peace of mind,” he concluded.
